U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Clean Cities

DOT Boosts High-Speed Rail Projects with $2.4 Billion

November 3, 2010

DOT has announced the latest round of support for U.S. high-speed rail. California has received more than $901 million.Credit:California High Speed Rail Authority and NC3D

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on October 28 named the 54 high-speed rail projects in 23 states selected for the second round of funding for high-speed intercity passenger rail service. The projects will receive $2.4 billion to continue developing the first nationwide program. DOT's Federal Railroad Administration received 132 applications from 32 states totaling $8.8 billion, more than three times the $2.4 billion available for this funding cycle. During the first round of awards in the fall of 2009, applicants submitted more than $55 billion in project proposals for the initial $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Recovery Act money is being awarded for a range of activities, such as constructing track and stations, purchasing new passenger equipment, and completing planning studies to develop new high-speed rail service. California received more than $901 million, including $715 million for the construction of new high-speed rail lines in the Central Valley. And, Florida received $800 million for the Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail corridor, part of a planned line linking Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and other communities. More than 30 rail manufacturers and suppliers, both domestic and foreign, have agreed to establish or expand their bases of operations in the United States if they are hired to build the next generation high-speed lines. See the DOT press release and DOT's full list of award selections.